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More Portrait Photography Tips And Tricks For Great Portraits

In my last article on portrait photography tips and tricks I discussed some diverse means to approach a portrait. Portrait photography is usually by far the most hard and probably the most fulfilling variety of photography. Complicated because it is really a portrait and also you need to have the subjects personality displayed. Most rewarding mainly because when you are able to get that to come about you've a lot more than just a photo, you've got a portrait.

Here are some additional portrait photography tips and tricks to get you thinking out of the box and engage your subject for a excellent photo.

 

Candid Camera

No, I'm not telling you to use a hidden camera but to get candid shots. Posed portraits can look artificial and staged. If you get your subject involved in doing something your pictures are likely to be a lot more natural and display a lot more of your subject's individuality. What is your subject's favorite diversion? Are they a gardener? Do they tinker with old cars? Are they a cook? Get them involved in what they love and it will be present in the portrait. Use a long zoom lens if you like so you feel less intrusive. Of course action sports shots like skiing, hiking, sailing, climbing etc are way cool but unless you also participate in the sport, they're kind of difficult on the photographer!

 

Use a Prop

This option is really good with kids. Give them something to play with and all you need to do is keep up! You do need to make sure the prop doesn't become the focus of the portrait instead of the subject. Do allow the prop to add interaction and a sense of place and story to the portrait and show your subject in a unique light, adding another layer to them. Focus on

A Single Section of the Body

Get close up on just part of your subject and not just the face. Think of the story a person's hands show about them, particularly if they work with those hands as an artist or craftsman. What would the feet of a dancer display about your subject? Or a many-pierced ear? Or the back of a neck with a small tattoo just glimpsed at the edge of the picture?

 

All of these portrait photography tips and tricks add depth to the shot as well as showcasing parts of your subject's personality that might not otherwise show in a more expected portrait.

About the Author

I'm an amateur portrait photographer. My favorite subjects are portraits of dogs and kids, especially together. Stop by PHOTOGRAPHYPOSE.INFO for tips on how to pose models and taking great portraits.

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